Independent retailers news and archive

Spotlight on Black independent retailers: Livewear curated by Áwet New York

There’s space in the fashion world for everyone. That includes independent retail. But what does it take to become an independent retailer? And what is it like to be a Black independent retailer, in an industry that hasn’t always been supportive of Black creatives? There’s a lot we can learn from Black independent retailers regarding business,...

Retail |In-depth Featured

Navigating Challenges: The State of Independent Fashion Retail in the US

In the ever-evolving and competitive landscape of retail, independent fashion retailers encounter a distinct set of challenges and opportunities. As e-commerce giants and global chains continue to expand across the nation, it becomes increasingly crucial for these small businesses to establish a unique business model that effectively connects...

RetailFeatured

Top US cities paving the way for independent retailers

When shopping for a new shirt, pair of jeans, or dress, chances are you're likely to head to a big-box retailer, department store, or chain store to find what you're looking for. While apparel remains an essential part of our daily lives, many overlook local independent retailers when making their next clothing purchase. Yet, independent...

ManagementFeatured

Fy! acquires marketplace Trouva

London-based Trouva, the platform for independent boutiques and brands, has been acquired by Fy!, the AI-enabled marketplace for home and living. The acquisition doubles Fy!'s business size and is part of its wider strategy to leverage artificial intelligence to offer unparalleled marketplace experiences for sellers and buyers alike. Trouva,...

Background |LONG READ

Inside independent retail: What it takes to run a fashion store

There are various types of fashion stores. We use the term retailers to broadly refer to all those who sell clothing to consumers. Retailers include chains such as Scotch & Soda, H&M and Zara, as well as department stores such as John Lewis, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. However, the term retailers also refers to independent retailers -...

Background

Wholesale and retail explained: Definitions, examples, and pricing strategies

Entering the fashion industry and deciding on how to distribute your products can be complicated. What is retail and wholesale? Who uses them and why? What are retail and wholesale prices and why are they different? In this short background piece, FashionUnited dives into all the above and more. The difference between retail and wholesale 1....

BusinessFeatured

Re:store acquires Trouva and pledges to “accelerate” opportunities for indies

Cambridge-based start-up Re:store has acquired London-based marketplace Trouva and is pledging to help bridge the gap between online and offline for independent retailers. Re:Store, co-founded by Jon Reynolds, previously chief executive and co-founder of SwiftKey, and Siling Tan in 2020, aims to enable a human connection online through a...

Business

Ugg reportedly set to remove presence in independent retailers

Footwear brand Ugg is reportedly set to remove its products from the shelves of independent retailers. The Deckers Brands-owned label is said to have told indies that they won’t be supplied with Ugg boots from as early as next year as the group looks to concentrate its business on multiples. The news was reported by Drapers, which said one...

Business

Independents are feeling pressure to increase prices according to Bira study

A new report by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has found that almost 88 percent of its members, made up of independent retailers, feel as though they are being forced to raise their prices once the anticipated jump in energy price comes into effect this autumn. The report is the result of a survey conducted by the...

Retail

A new trading platform hopes to help indies recover from pandemic

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched a new platform that hopes to aid independent retailers in their pandemic recovery. Set to launch for customers in February 2022, Neartoo will act as a national trading platform to provide retailers with a new way of selling online, with the goal of helping them to build their...

RetailFeatured

Short-term relief, long-term concern: Independent retailers on the government’s Covid-19 measures

It has been three weeks to the day since the UK government announced the immediate closure of all ‘non-essential’ stores in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a move that, while undoubtedly necessary, meant certain and unprecedented distruption for businesses across the country. To minimise the economical impact of the lockdown, the...

Report

Independent retailers call for ‘details and transparency’ during UK lockdown

Small business owners affected by the UK’s lockdown are in need of immediate access to financial support, according to the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). On Monday evening prime minister Boris Johnson ordered all ‘non-essential’ stores to shut for three weeks in a big to slow the growth of the coronavirus. Under new measures,...